SC Democrats rally with Georgia US senator ahead of early voting

COLUMBIA — The Democrats seeking to be South Carolina’s U.S. senator and governor rallied Friday with U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia as part of a days-long push ahead of early voting in an attempt to bring a blue wave to the Palmetto State.

Taking the stage behind a sign that read “Keep the Faith!” were Annie Andrews, who’s vying to be South Carolina’s first Democrat in the U.S. Senate in over 20 years, and Rep. Jermaine Johnson, who could make history as the state’s first Black governor, as well as the first Democrat sent to the Governor’s Mansion in 28 years.

They urged people to go vote and prove Democrats can be elected to statewide office in South Carolina.

The two are scheduled to continue their tour with Warnock on Saturday in North Charleston and Florence, while roughly 20 “No Kings” rallies focused on early voting are planned across the state.

“The people of South Carolina, we are ready, we are past ready for a new South Carolina,” Johnson told more than 100 people crowded into Senate’s End, an event venue about a mile from the Statehouse. “In this moment, right now, the energy is real. People are fired up. They are ready for real, tangible change because we deserve it.”

It’s been 20 years since voters elected any Democrat to statewide office in South Carolina: In 2006, Jim Rex became superintendent of education by less than 1 percentage point.

While waiting for the candidates, people chanted about a possibility of a “blue wave” for Democrats in the midterms.

Several election forecasters have indicated a closer-than-anticipated race between Andrews and Republican U.S. Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed following the death of her older brother, Lindsey Graham, in July.

Graham ran for the next full term with the encouragement and endorsement of President Donald Trump, and Republicans maintain that South Carolina remains “Trump country.” He won South Carolina by nearly 18 percentage points two years ago.

Warnock, who isn’t up for re-election in the U.S. Senate until 2028, is in South Carolina as part of a pre-midterm tour through several states in the South.

His appearances in early voting presidential states — including South Carolina, which will hold Democrats’ first primary in the nation in 2028, have fueled speculation about his presidential ambitions. Earlier this week, he was in Columbia for a “faith power hour” with local pastors, where he dodged questions about his presidential ambitions.

Warnock’s January 2021 special election win flipped a seat long held by a Republican and gave Democrats control of the U.S. Senate two weeks before President Joe Biden’s inauguration. He won a full term in 2022 by defeating Republican Herschel Walker, Georgia’s legendary Heisman Trophy winner.

South Carolina can do it too, he said, referring to Andrews.

“Don’t sleep on the South,” Warnock said. “Look at me and remember that they shouldn’t sleep on the South. Nobody thought Georgia could do it until we got it done.”

On the stage, Andrews said South Carolinians don’t elect dynasties.

Lindsey Graham held the seat for almost 24 years when he died of a ruptured aorta, just one month after easily defeating five GOP challengers toward a fifth term. Darline Graham defeated nine Republicans in the special GOP primary and runoff in August to replace him on the ballot.

“This Senate seat belongs to South Carolina. It does not belong to one family,” Andrews said.

Other potential 2028 Democratic presidential contenders in South Carolina in the weeks ahead of the midterms include Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, former White House adviser Rahm Emanuel, California Rep. Ro Khanna, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.

Trump is scheduled to rally at Clemson University with Graham on Wednesday.

Johnson’s opponent in the gubernatorial race, GOP Attorney General Alan Wilson, on Friday announced a bus tour for the two weeks leading up until Election Day. Republicans on that tour will include U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.

Early voting in South Carolina starts Monday and ends on Oct. 31. Locations are closed Oct. 25, a Sunday.